Drought is considered by many to be the most complex but least understood of all natural risks, affecting more people than any other risk (G. Hagman 1984). However, much confusion remains within the scientific and policy communities regarding its characteristics. It is this confusion that explains, to some extent, the lack of progress in drought preparedness in most of the world. Drought is a creeping, slow-onset natural hazard that is a normal part of the climate for virtually all regions of the world; causes serious economic, social and environmental impacts. The beginning and end of drought are often difficult to determine, as is its severity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayDrought impacts are largely nonstructural and extend over a larger geographic area than damage from other natural hazards. The non-structural nature of drought impacts has certainly hindered the development of accurate, reliable and timely estimates of severity and, ultimately, the formulation of drought preparedness plans by most governments. The impacts of drought, like those of other hazards, can be reduced through mitigation and preparedness. Drought preparedness planning should be considered an essential component of integrated water resources management. Increasing society's capacity to cope more effectively with extremes of climate variability and water resources (e.g. floods and droughts) is a critical aspect of integrated water resources management. Drought preparedness planning will also provide substantial benefits in preparing for potential climate change. Historically, more emphasis has been placed on flood management than drought management. With increasing pressure on water and other natural resources due to the growth and movement of populations (from regional and rural to urban regions), it is imperative for all nations to improve their capacity to manage water resources over the years of water scarcity. Drought risk is the product of a region's exposure to natural hazard and its vulnerability to prolonged periods of water scarcity (DAWilhite 2000). If nations and regions want to make progress in reducing the severe consequences of drought, they must improve their understanding of drought-related problems. danger and the factors that influence vulnerability. It is critical that drought-prone regions better understand their drought climatology (i.e., the probability of drought at different levels of intensity and duration) and establish a comprehensive and integrated drought information system that incorporates climate, soil and supply factors water such as precipitation. , temperature, soil moisture, snow cover, reservoir and lake levels, groundwater levels and stream runoff. All drought-exposed nations should develop national policies and preparedness plans that emphasize risk management rather than following the traditional crisis management approach, where the emphasis is on reactive emergency response measures. Crisis management decreases self-sufficiency and increases dependence on government and donors. Drought can be classified into four main categories: Meteorological Drought: Simply involves a rainfall deficiency where rainfall is reduced by more than 25% of normal in a given area. These are specific to theregion since the lack of rainfall varies greatly from region to region. Hydrological droughts: are associated with a shortage of water on the surface or underground due to a lack of precipitation. While all droughts originate from a lack of precipitation, hydrological drought is primarily concerned with how this deficiency affects components of the hydrologic system such as soil moisture, stream flow, groundwater, and water levels. tanks, etc. Agricultural drought: connects various characteristics of meteorological precipitation. or hydrological drought to agricultural impacts, focusing on rainfall deficits, differences between actual potential evapotranspiration, soil, soil water deficits and reductions in groundwater or reservoir levels. The water demand of plants depends on the prevailing weather conditions, the biological characteristics of the specific plant, its growth stage and the physical and biological properties of the soil. Socioeconomic Drought: It is associated with the supply and demand aspect of economic goods along with elements of meteorological, hydrological and agricultural drought. This type of drought primarily occurs when demand for an economic good exceeds its supply due to a weather-related water supply shortage. The impacts of a drought can be economic, environmental or social. Drought produces a complex web of impacts that spans many sectors of the economy and extends well beyond the area affected by the physical drought. This complexity exists because water is integral to society's ability to produce goods and provide services. Impacts are commonly defined as direct and indirect. Direct impacts include reduced crop, rangeland and forest productivity, increased fire risk, reduced water levels, increased livestock and wildlife mortality rates, and damage to wildlife wild and fish habitat. The consequences of these direct impacts illustrate the indirect impacts. For example, a reduction in the productivity of crops, pastures and forests can lead to a reduction in income for farmers and the agri-food industry, an increase in food and timber prices, unemployment, a reduction in tax revenues due to the reduction expenditure, foreclosures on bank loans to farmers and businesses, migration and disaster relief programs. Many economic impacts occur in agriculture and related sectors, including forestry and fisheries, due to these sectors' dependence on surface and groundwater resources. In addition to obvious yield losses in agricultural and livestock production, drought is associated with increased insect infestations, plant diseases and wind erosion. Drought also leads to more insect and disease problems in forests and reduces forest growth. The incidence of forest and environmental fires increases significantly during prolonged periods of drought, which in turn places human and wildlife populations at higher levels of risk. Environmental losses are the result of damage to plant and animal species, wildlife habitat, and air and water quality; forest and forest fires; degradation of landscape quality; loss of biodiversity; and soil erosion. Some of the effects are short-term and conditions quickly return to normal after the drought ends. Other environmental effects persist for some time or may even become permanent. Wildlife habitat, for example, may be degraded due to the loss of,.